The big screen television in the HUB-Robeson Center showed images yesterday not of New York City's "Ground Zero," but of the effects of United States airstrikes in Afghanistan.

Penn State students who left last weekend for fall break returned to campus with mixed feelings about the retaliatory measures.

Nina Sawhney (sophomore-hotel, restaurant, and institutional management) said she supported the airstrikes, but thought they could put the country in danger.

"Americans going overseas have a risk of getting shot at," Sawhney said.

She said her mother had planned to go to Italy, but the flight was scheduled to stop in Pakistan. She has since reconsidered her plans.

"We need to get bin Laden and put him in his place. When we do that, we'll be safe," Sawhney said.

Sawhney also said she expected security to increase on all college campuses, and that there is already a sense of uneasiness at Penn State.

Campus security was increased after the Sept. 11 attacks, said Penn State spokesman Tysen Kendig. He said he was not aware of any additional measures put in place since the weekend's military action, adding that he would not talk about any added security if there were any.

Rick Smith, treasurer of the Penn State Objectivist Club, said the attacks on Afghanistan were a good start in a battle against terrorism.

"Other state sponsors of terrorism, such as Iran and Iraq, should also be attacked during this war against terrorism," Smith said in an e-mail. "Only after we go after and destroy all states who sponsor terrorism will the U.S. be safe."

Desiree Dudley, president of the Objectivist Club, said poll data show the American public supports the strikes.

"I imagine it is only pockets of academia and the liberal college community that vehemently supports a lack of action," she said in an e-mail.

A study of students at Penn State conducted before the events of last weekend showed that 62 percent approved the actions President Bush has taken since Sept. 11, while more than 40 percent believed the media should not report all attack-related news. Robert Baukus, professor and head of the department of advertising and public relations conducted the study with Susan Strohm, senior lecturer in communications.

"The students reflect the general support for President Bush seen in public opinion polls and they also show support for the military's view of the media's role," Baukus said in a press release.